Geophagus abalios, G. dicrozoster and G. winemilleri (Perciformes: Cichlidae), three new species from Venezuela

FIGURE 2. Diagrammatic representation of preopercular markings and lateral bars distinguishing Geophagus species within the G. surinamensis complex. a, G. dicrozoster, n. sp.; b, G. abalios n. sp.; c, G. winemilleri n. sp.; d, G. brokopondo; e, G. brachybranchus; f, G. s u r i n a m e n s i s; g, G. proximus; h, G. megasema; i, G. camopiensis, and j, G. altifrons. Preopercular markings are visible in both live and preserved individuals; lateral bar patterns are generally visible only in preserved specimens.

FIGURE 1. Diagrammatic representation of scale nomenclature, head markings and lateral bar patterns of Geophagus as used in this paper. Abbreviations are as follows: E 1, first epaxial longitudinal series of scales, used to count number of longitudinal scales; E 6, last epaxial longitudinal series of scales; H 1 – H 5, hypaxial longitudinal series of scales; IOS, infraorbital stripe; MLS, midlateral spot; POM, preopercular mark; ULL, upper lateral line; LLL, lower lateral line; 1 – 7, lateral bars. Scale nomenclature after Kullander (1992, 1996). Infraorbital, preopercular and mid­lateral black markings are observable both in live and preserved specimens; lateral bar patterns are gener­

FIGURE 3. Geophagus abalios. Holotype, MCNG 47600, 163.0 mm SL; Venezuela: Apure: Río Cinaruco: Laguna Larga (6.5339 N 67.4150 W).

FIGURE 8. Geophagus dicrozoster. Occlusal aspect of lower pharyngeal tooth plate; from MCNG 40623, 88.4 mm SL; scale bar 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Geophagus dicrozoster. Holotype, MCNG 40996, 193.0 mm SL; Venezuela: Apure: Río Cinaruco: Laguna Larga (6.5339 N 67.4150 W).

FIGURE 7. Geophagus dicrozoster. Uncatalogued specimen, young adult immediately after capture at the type locality: Laguna Larga, Río Cinaruco, Apure State, Venezuela. 6.3335 N, 67.2471 W.

FIGURE 9. Known distribution area of Geophagus abalios n. sp. (), G. dicrozoster n. sp. (), and G. brachybranchus () in Venezuela. One dot may represent more than one collection locality.